Water plant shutdown requires irrigation restrictions

by Staff ReportsMidland Reporter-Telegram

Published 6:00 pm, Thursday, February 18, 2010

With workers finishing the $21 million reconstruction of the City Water Purification Plant at Midland Drive and Bluebird Lane, the city is asking citizens to restrict their outside watering "only to that which is essential" from Monday through Friday next week.

Water Superintendent Johnny Womack said Friday the plant will be shut down for crucial electrical equipment to be replaced and the Paul Davis Wellfield 30 miles north of town will be the only water available during that period with Colorado River Municipal Water District lakes not being used at Robert Lee, Snyder and Ballinger.

"As warm weather approaches, residents are looking to begin the irrigation season," a city spokeswoman said. "We ask all residents to feel free to water as much as they need to this weekend but beginning Sunday night to turn off their outside systems until the following Friday night.

"This will ensure adequate supplies for everyone."

The spokeswoman said the reconstruction "has been a long process and we appreciate the patience of all citizens.

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"We scheduled this shutdown during a historically low period of water use and rely as always on Midlanders to help us and their neighbors through this period."